A Study On The Notes

Jottings from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations, a classical Chinese novelcollection written by Ji Yun in Qing Dynasty, which innovates the creation mode ofnotes on classical Chinese novel, is famous in Chinese classical novel history. It coversa wide range of topics with great clarity and reasonable explanation. By means ofsystematical research on the book and other relative information, the ideological systemand value judgment of Ji Yun, among which both conservative attitudes standing for thetimes and radical parts going beyond the times exist, are discussed. Above all, itindicates the zeitgeist evolving over time.The introduction of this paper summarizes the research findings achieved sinceJottings from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations came out according to thetime period, inducing the significant research achievements from Qing Dynasty. In thefirst chapter, with the principle of knowing both the author and his time, it analyzes thehistorical background and complex life experience of Ji Yun, to have a clear idea of hispersonal growth in many ways such as experience, knowledge and behavior, and tounderstand the multiple motives of creating Jottings from the Thatched Abode of CloseObservations. In the second chapter, it explores his perspectives of religion, ethics,officialdom moral and the ideas against Neo-Confucianism by learning the novel. Italso investigates his religious view by synthesizing the “combination of three religions”and the “instructing according to the sacred way”, understands his ethics by comparingthe conservation and breakthrough, explores his doctrines of official in despair andhope, and at last probes into his clear ideas against Neo-Confucianism by analyzing theconflicts in value judgment. In the third chapter, it mainly discusses about the artisticstandpoint of Ji Yun and the influence of his creation. By comparing with StrangeStories from a Chinese Studio, analyzing the artistic charm of Jottings from theThatched Abode of Close Observation, and concentrating on the theoretical criticism ofpoetry emerging in the stories at times, it verifies the literary ideas of Ji Yun.Taking the three aspects above into consideration, this paper holds that Jottingsfrom the Thatched Abode of Close Observations has the extremely important value andpractical significance in Chinese novel history.